NASA tests shuttle external tank
Posted: Sat, May 21, 2005, 6:49 AM ET (1049 GMT)
NASA officials pronounced Friday's fueling test of the space shuttle external tank a success, but still need to examine the data to see if they have resolved two problems previously noted with the tank. The tank, still attached to the shuttle Discovery and twin solid rocket motors on the launch pad, was filled with liquid hydrogen and oxygen in an effort to resolve two problems found during a similar tanking test last month. During Friday's test engineers did not have problems with intermittent readings from fuel cutoff sensors experienced during April's test. However, a pressure relief valve opened and closed more frequently than normal, a phenomenon also noted during the previous test. However, engineers were able to clear a new heater installed on a strut as the cause of the valve cycling. Officials said after the test that they remained confident that the shuttle would be ready for launch in a window that opens in mid-July.
NASA officials pronounced Friday's fueling test of the space shuttle external tank a success, but still need to examine the data to see if they have resolved two problems previously noted with the tank. The tank, still attached to the shuttle Discovery and twin solid rocket motors on the launch pad, was filled with liquid hydrogen and oxygen in an effort to resolve two problems found during a similar tanking test last month. During Friday's test engineers did not have problems with intermittent readings from fuel cutoff sensors experienced during April's test. However, a pressure relief valve opened and closed more frequently than normal, a phenomenon also noted during the previous test. However, engineers were able to clear a new heater installed on a strut as the cause of the valve cycling. Officials said after the test that they remained confident that the shuttle would be ready for launch in a window that opens in mid-July.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Report outlines cost growth in canceled NASA exploration programs
Posted: Sat, Jun 27 11:14 AM ET (1514 GMT) Perseverance Mars rover finds more potential biosignatures
Posted: Sat, Jun 27 11:12 AM ET (1512 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Monday, June 29
Has Rocket Lab launched us across political threshold?
Radio New Zealand — 5:46 am ET (0946 GMT) SpaceX launches rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base Sunday morning
KSBY-TV San Luis Obispo, CA — 5:42 am ET (0942 GMT) SpaceX Valuation and Defense Demand Could Spark a Space-Tech IPO Wave in Warsaw, Creotech CEO Says
Bloomberg News — 5:42 am ET (0942 GMT) The Exploration Company is Recruiting for Its Nyx Crew Team in Houston
European Spaceflight — 5:36 am ET (0936 GMT) Euclid studies Milky Way center, supports future Roman observations
NasaSpaceFlight.com — 5:34 am ET (0934 GMT) |
